pierced ear?

Question

i just got my third hole in my right ear last week. a few years ago, i got the first, second, and third holes in my left ear, then, last year i got my second hole in my left ear; none of them have swollen up like this one has. its swollen like crazy; i clean it every morning and everynight, so i don't see how it could be infected, and i watched the girl clean the piercing gun and the earring before piercing it. anyway, anyone know how to make swelling go down? it seems to be on only the back of my ear, thats the only part that stings, and the only part thats red and swollen. i'm trying ice right now.

thankyou to all you ppl who answered; y'all are great!

Answer 1

Ice will help, and gently compress the site with a clean washrag soaked in a solution of a quarter teaspoon of sea or kosher salt dissolved in a glass of water. Taking an anti-inflammitory medication (ibuprofin, Advil) will also help. I'd advise against peroxide or alcohol, as they are too strong, and might actually aggrivate the swelling.

If the swelling does not subside within a week or two, or it begins to feel feverish, you might want to make a doctor visit, as that's a sign of serious infection. In any case, DO NOT remove the piercing unless at the direction of your piercer (I'd suggest taking the advice of a professional piercer over that of the one who gave you the piercing [the pro will know what to do, as piercing is their life, as opposed to someone who'll actually use a gun, who's only doing it for the money, and has little to no medical knowledge]) or at the direction of a doctor.

Some possibilities: check to see whether you might have developed an allergy to that metal. If it's a cheap earring/stud, it most likely contains nickel, which many people (myself included) have allergies to, and will cause swelling, redness, and itchiness. If it's expensive (such as gold or silver), and gold, wear a gold earring on your first set of holes, to ensure that your body hasn't developed a dislike of gold (again, as I am... I can't wear gold that's less than 18k, as the chemicals in my body will eat right through it); or silver, inspect the earring carefully, as it might be tarnishing and cause the infection. If it's quality steel (stainless or surgical, found in more expensive earrings [though not as expensive as silver/gold]), there should be no problems if they've never affected you before. Also consider the length of the stud (that is, if you have a stud, and not a captured ball ring), as it might be improperly sized (it should be a little longer than an average earring to account for initial swelling. If it is not, it may be that the stud itself is keeping your ear swollen. If that's the case, seek the advice from a professional piercer).

Worst case scenario, if the swelling and irritation does not subside: you might have been infected with something worse. Piercing guns cannot be properly sterilized. Rubbing it down with or dipping/soaking it in alcohol might wash off the body fluids from the person it was last used on, however, it will not kill all diseases, nor can all parts of the gun be sterilized as such, unless it is *completely* dismantled and each part, right down to the screws holding it together, are cleaned each and every time it's used, because infectious fluids can get trapped in the moving parts within the gun. The only way you can be certain something has been sterilized completely, is in an autoclave. And guns cannot be sterilized in an autoclave (again, there's internal parts in there that are sheltered from the cleaning process).

Next time, be certain about your health, and visit an APP-associated professional piercer who uses pre-packaged, disposable needles or uses ones cleaned in an autoclave. It might be cheaper at Claire's, but the doctor bills from having caught something are not worth it.

Answer 2

theirs a 1st 4 everything! give it a lil longer & if the swelling goes down u should probally take the earring out! sorry 2 say but it happened 2 my sister 2!~

Answer 3

Keep cleaning it and try going back to the piercer and them can they give you some type of refund then go to your doctor R try getting a cream r something.

Answer 4

I would continue to clean it and then go back to the place you got pierced and ask them for some suggestions.

Answer 5

You may have to take it out...let it heal...and do it, again. Cleaning with rubbing alcohol AND peroxide do help. Maybe Motrin or aspirin for the swelling?

Answer 6

she mite have hit the wrong spot in that area of ur ear, i have 5 up my ear, and i have peirced the last 3 of them, but i asked b4 i did it so i cud make sure nothing wud go wrong, and they told me that there are certain areas NOT to peirce, i suggest you go online and look up those areas and check up on ur peircing! hope i helped!